I love reporters’ notebooks. They make me feel like a real journalist. I like the way they fit in my back pocket and seem just big enough to keep a basketball running score. I normally keep all my notebooks so that, one day far in the future, I can look back and reminisce about everyone I’ve interviewed. I came to SJI with a brand-new red pocket notebook. At Detroit Mercy, I usually go through one per semester. I’ve only been at SJI for a week, and my red notebook is nearly full. I’ve written about every bit of advice I’ve received from all of our speakers and instructors. To be honest, this week has gone by in a blur. I don’t remember details from a lot of things, but I have those details in my notebook. I know this is one of the most important weeks of my journalism career, but I don’t think the full impact of what I learned will hit me until I go through my notebook. Its contents will help shape and guide my career for the foreseeable future. I love my reporters’ notebooks, but I don’ think I’ve ever had one so important.
Not to say that I’ve never been challenged, but this week has been the most stressful and most intense week I think I’ve ever experienced. I know it’s only been a week, but I feel like I’ve really learned a lot here and have a better sense of the answer to my question. I came here trying to figure out if sports journalism was for me. I can’t give a direct answer as to exactly what I want to do or what sport I want to cover, but I can say that I am still confident that I can be an exceptional journalist. This program has made me question my abilities, has shaken up my confidence and has given me a sturdy backbone and the tools to becoming a better writer and researcher, and simply a much more well-rounded professional. I still have a lot to learn and need a lot more practice, but I know that leaving this program, I have the right mindset to be successful. I’ve learned that there are people like me, who are different, who are ambitious, who do struggle, and yet, can still be successful. The speakers and students have been so influential in their discussions about minorities in journalism, journalism being a business, paving your path into a job, technological advances, what to expect from your editors, etc. But we're not done yet.
We had a little free time today and had a chance to pick David Squires’ brain. We discussed scoring different sports events, talking to important people when covering high school sports, and I even got a story idea for when I start my internship. It was a good impromptu lesson in how to be a man or woman on the street. Sometimes just shooting the breeze with someone can get you more information than you could’ve imagined. It went along with Stephen Buckley’s session earlier today on preparing for the real world. Buckley, dean of the faculty at Poynter, told us we should not just wait until we need a story to contact people--we should build relationships. He also said it’s imperative we tell people things they don’t already know. Talking to as many people as you can will get you many different angles and help you tell a complete story.
In basketball, it’s often said that if a player’s shot isn’t falling, the player needs to “just keep shooting.” I’ll never play a second of professional basketball, but this week at SJI has taught me the meaning of that phrase more than any NBA Finals game could. As an aspiring journalist, I want every piece of my work to be worthy of a Pulitzer. When I look at an article printed with a mistake or omission, I become angry with myself. David Squires, urban affairs columnist for the Daily Press, told our class today that we shouldn’t do that. Instead of basketball, Squires used a baseball analogy, saying that “sometimes you have hits and misses but you have to keep swinging through the slumps.” I’d love to work for a daily newspaper someday. That would mean that, even if I have a not-so-great article, I could redeem myself the very next day. That thought makes the pressures of deadline writing less scary.
Richard Deitsch said it best: Twitter is a loaded gun. The social networking phenomenon is fun, informative, instantaneous and easily accessible. But its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Many use Twitter socially, to stay up to date with the news happening around the world, or because their employers require them to Tweet. Others use Twitter to express their strong opinions about sports, politics and even religion. Those opinionated people can find themselves in trouble if they lack a filter, especially professional athletes. Athletes are placed on a pedestal and with that type of fame comes scrutiny, and sometimes trouble. Everything an athlete says is read, analyzed and talked about. So when reckless professionals Tweet something irresponsible, in seconds, the world knows about it. During the NFL draft, when the Saints chose Alabama RB Mark Ingram, Bush took to Twitter to say: "It's been fun, New Orleans." The result? Instant controversy. So before you decide to "pull the trigger" on Twitter, think. You won't be "wounding" anyone but yourself.
No matter what journalist I’ve asked in the past, they all said the same thing: Newspapers will never die. I’ve probably had this discussion with only about 10 journalists, so this is an extremely small sample. But the future of newspapers is an important subject to me. I intend to work for a newspaper when I graduate. Although I’m unsure what to think at this point, I can’t help but be afraid of the unknown. What scares me is the growth of digital media and social networking sites. When games end or national news breaks, everyone across the country knows about it through Twitter, Facebook or breaking news updates online--all of which raises the question: Do we need newspapers anymore if most of the news being printed is available to us instantaneously? Jim Jenks shared his views during his presentation today. In a nutshell, he said that newspapers are the victims of an archaic delivery service, and while he doesn't think they will die anytime soon, he predicts this generation will move into the future, with or without them. Hearing Jenks’ presentation made me feel less afraid because even if newspapers die, reporting won’t. People still need and want the news delivered in some fashion. So whether their work is done only on digital platforms or not, great reporters will always have a place in the industry.
We've been having pretty full days at Poynter, to say the least. Sitting in a classroom for about 15-straight hours can be physically and intellectually draining. The first few days, I wondered about the purpose of the intensely-long days. Now, about halfway through the program, I think I have a pretty good idea. The speakers we’ve heard, especially Victoria Lim and Al Tompkins today, stressed the importance of using new technology. That technology allows us to instantaneously report and share news. That means, as reporters, we have to be ready at a moment’s notice. As Mr. Leon Carter would say, we can’t be like rocks lying around doing nothing. We have to constantly report and provide updates to our readers. It’s a pretty daunting task, but it’s one that this long week at Poynter will prepare us for.
OUT of the night that covers me,Below is a compilation of quotes from some of our directors and speakers:
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance 5
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade, 10
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate: 15
I am the captain of my soul.
Tim Stephens wears many hats. Stephens works as the sports topics manager at both the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. This summer he’ll embark on a new endeavor and don a new hat as APSE second vice president. Since his hiring in 2003 by the Orlando Sentinel, he has worked as a copy editor, deputy editor and assistant sports editor there. In 2009 he was named sports project manager for the Orlando Sentinel and a year later he was also given those same duties at the South Florida Sun Sentinel as well. Stephens will be sworn in at the APSE convention in Boston. One of the main duties for Stephens this year will be maintaining the APSE web site; next year, he'll move up to first vice president then in 2013 will take over as president. Current president Michael Anastasi is certain Stephens is the right man for the job. “Tim is one of the most talented hard working inovatitve sports editors in the country,” Anastasi said. “I have absolute confidence that he is going to be an outstanding president."
Is it possible for a reporter to be truly objective? This is one of the questions I consistently struggle with as a journalist. Whenever I talk to non-journalism track friends or classmates about this subject, they quickly make the generalization that no journalist writes fair or unbiased material. One girl even said that nothing about my profession is objective. The mere process of budget meetings, she said, screams subjectivity because the editorial staff decides what news is “important” and what isn’t. I can’t say that she is wrong in some respects or that no journalist has a hidden agenda. What I can say is that I strive each day to be objective and report fairly. Will I obtain true objectivity one day, if it actually exists? Probably not. But today I’ve finally learned the reason why. Kenny Irby of Poynter addressed that in today’s lecture. “How can you be objective with all the subjective realities?” he asked. He's right. Whether it is age, race, religion or whatever, everyone has a subjective reality that is different from any other person’s. It defines who we are and the decisions we make.
Although society has come a long way with acceptance of differences and the attempt to diversify the workplace, we still have a long way to go. Today we had a groundbreaking seminar that really got everyone thinking with Kenny Irby, Senior Faculty/Visual Journalism & Diversity Programs, speaking about the conditions of difference, how that breaks barriers in the workplace and produces better quality and variety of writing. We worked in groups where we shared which of the 12 conditions we most felt isolated by. From there, my peers and myself shared stories about gender, age, lifestyle and geography that opened my eyes to plights other than my own. For all of us, it was very rewarding. Two of my favorite quotes of Irby's were: "You're all in the business of narrative construction to be distinct. You have to break away from the pack." "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity." It would be interesting to have conversations like these in the workplace, and I am hoping to use what I have learned here at my internship. The most productivity comes from people who have different perspectives, different backgrounds, etc. I learned this by co-facilitating Campus Conversations on Race at Emerson College. You can be accepting and open, but once you actually listen to the ideas and perspectives of others, better ideas emerge, a higher quality of work results and you develop as a person. This is so important to workplace communication, and I’m fortunate to have chipped into that subject here.
The only thing I like more than hot dogs are free hot dogs. I’ve gotten plenty of those in the media room covering the University of Detroit Mercy’s basketball team for the past three years. But Kenny Irby of the Poynter Institute today asked our class to consider whether accepting free food is ethical. It’s something I’ve never thought much about, but after Irby’s talk, I’ve come away with a different view. It’s not fair for me (or any journalist) to accept special privileges from teams we are trying to objectively cover. Unless something directly pertains to our ability to do our job, we shouldn’t accept it. Even though the food being offered may be pretty basic stuff, the perception among the public could be negative. Perception is key since journalists rely heavily on their reputations. All we have is our name and we should look to avoid anything that could tarnish it, no matter how inconsequential it may seem. Looks like I’ll be brown-bagging it to the next Titans' home game.
If you think writing a captivating lede in under five minutes may be daunting, try writing a 600 word recap story four minutes after the game ends. That’s the task that was given to us last night in class. Talk about INTENSE. Unfortunately for me, when it comes to that territory, I’m a rookie. I had never written a game story on deadline and turned it in literally following the sporting event. Back at Loyola in New Orleans, our newspaper is a weekly. Whenever I usually cover a game, chances are it’s either the night before we go to press or the day right after which means I have plenty of time to gather my thoughts and type them in my laptop. So, you can probably imagine what happened last night. No, I didn’t miss my assigned deadline. But I wasn’t able to deliver pacemaker-worthy material either. After feeling pretty inadequate about what I had turned in, I hung by head in defeat. What I quickly remembered though, was that I’m going to make mistakes throughout this week. In order to grow, you must learn from your errors and improve. One of our speakers, Malcolm Moran, stressed that point in his talk today. He shared with the class his proudest moments and even some of his darkest. After his talk, I learned a few effective tips to maintain focus and not only wrote a story, but write “the story.” I’m sure I’ll have to write another game story on deadline again this week. The difference this time though, is that I’ll be ready.
Over the weekend I heard Mr. Carter say, “If this is the cream of the crop, then God bless the skim milk.” After disastrous sports checks and subpar article on the Stanley Cup Finals, I couldn’t help but feel I was the one those souls who need that prayer.The weekend was pretty intense, waking up early covering games I knew little about and of course, the always pleasant sports checks.Monday’s seminars alleviated some doubts. The most profound nugget of wisdom came in passing from Kenny Irby. He told us “experience is a lifelong learning process. The journey is the destination.” Malcolm Moran gave a much needed lesson on how to successfully write on deadline. Among other things, he advised us to be patient when writing and to not beat ourselves up too much. Every piece of work won’t win a Pulitzer Prize. There’s hope yet for the skim milk.
I missed lunch today. Well, I thought I did because there was no food left on the table when I got to it. Thank you Sandy for going back to the store and getting more food; I was starving. I missed lunch because I had a brief opportunity to speak to Michael Anastasi, Managing Editor/ Sports, Features, Copy Desk and Photography at The Salt Lake Tribune. I wanted to speak to him because he was going to deliver a presentation on management. We talked about his time in Los Angeles, my hometown, and he told me he knew my publisher at my school’s newspaper because he used to work with her at the Los Angeles Daily News. I have a strong interest in going into management and I wanted to see what he could tell me before he was to speak to the class. I spoke to him about my experience as a copy editor, a position I would like to pursue. What I liked most about his presentation, other than all the lessons, was when he said that he gets fired up when he gets a room full of people together to help them grow and achieve different things. Anastasi said that’s the heart of the editor and it really spoke to me because I worked as a copy editor and it’s something I enjoyed and love doing. I am aware that my name wouldn’t be in the newspaper, but I would feel accomplished that I am sharp enough to improve stories and get them done for the paper.
Our first speaker of the week, soon-to-be APSE president Michael Anastasi, talked about a career in sports journalism management. The talk resonated with me because, to be honest, it’s something I haven’t thought much about. Part of the reason I love sports writing is the chance for people to see my work. I love the idea of random people turning to the sports page and reading what I wrote. It’s a bit egotistical, but it’s how I feel regardless. In order for people to see my work, I figured I’d have to be a beat reporter or a columnist. My dream job is to become the beat reporter for the Detroit Pistons. If I was in management as a sports editor, I wouldn’t get to cover the team on a day-to-day basis or be involved in all the excitement of deadline. Or so I thought. Anastasi said those in management are still involved in all the “glamour” work. “You do everything,” he said. “It’s invaluable as anything.” In addition, he pointed out sports editors get paid better. Another common misconception is that one has to work their way up to becoming an editor. Anastasi said that’s also wrong, as he was named sports editor of the Davis Enterprise at the age of 21. I’ve been an editor in some form at Detroit Mercy since my freshman year. Thinking back on my time, I realize I do enjoy the management role and, maybe, would consider it as a career path. It would mean I may not have my byline in each day’s paper, but at least the number on my check might be a little larger.
Taking it easy on us? Not what I really expected, especially on a Monday. I don’t know what everyone else expected, but I was geared up for another long evening in the “war room” ready to take on Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. Instead, we learned that class will end at 6:30 p.m. Even so, today has been just as valuable as the previous three days. Michael Anastasi and Malcolm Moran came in and filled my notebook with pages of information and tips. Their lessons will come in handy as I continue to let my mind absorb every piece of advice it gets during the time here.I’m going to use the evening mostly to go over my notes and look back on things we’ve done the last few days. I also plan on checking out Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I’m sure we’ll be tested heavily on it tomorrow morning when we get our first sports check of the day. I’ll be ready. I hope the rest of the group is too.
Biggest lessons of the day at SJI
Kenny Irby
“Stay engaged and committed to accurate storytelling. The thinking and preparation is the foundational piece. The journey is the destination. Each step you’ll add to tool chest or backpack.”
Greg Lee
“History goes beyond before you were born. You have to draw the picture for the reader as if they weren’t watching the game.”
Michael Anastasi
“How you impact a community can be pretty profound as an editor. It serves as a launching pad to do all different things in the industry. Being a good manager and leader is more complex than simply something you learn in school.”
“Ten to fifteen years ago, I was worried about tomorrow’s paper. Now the margin of time is now.”
Malcolm Moran
Quoting a poet, “Writing is easy. All you have to do is open up a vein and let the blood come out.”
It’s both inspiring and a challenge when you hear about their backgrounds, achievements and how they got in the business. To know that this is the network that SJI provides students with demonstrates how strong the program is and the desire the founders have to want students to succeed.
“Es un orgullo haber jugado con el equipo en las grandes ligas y ahora estar en la granja de las ligas menores de las organizacion. Para mi es un orgullo definitivamente porque yo creo que es el fruto que estamos recogiendo despues de una larga carrera como pelotero y poder estar ayudando a la organizacion a desarollar a estos peloteros.”
Sojo was saying that he feels proud to have played in the big leagues and now to be a part of the Yankees farm system is great. He said he feels proud to be a part in the development of young players. What struck me the most is what he said about George Steinbrenner, the old head honcho in New York. “Steinbrenner fue un hombre que vamos a respetar y recordar con mucho carino.” He basically said the Boss was a man that will always be respected and will be remembered with great love and affection. This came as a surprise because the late Steinbrenner was almost always portrayed as a villain in the media. Everybody has an opinion of someone, but I’m happy to hear something different from what I’ve heard my entire life about the big man in New York.
By Chaunte'l Powell
With five major league championships under his belt, Luis Sojo took his talents to Tampa to manage the Tampa Yankees in 2006. Just two years after his hiring, the T-Yanks were crowned Florida State League champions. They would go on to repeat the following year. In 2009 Sojo would take a sabbatical from the job, but not from the game. Sojo was chosen to coach his native Venezuela team in the World Baseball Classic. Venezuela went into the tournament that year with an experienced coach and a talented roster that included names like Miguel Cabrera, Bobby Abreu and closer Francisco Rodriguez. The team powered through the competition with a 6-1 tournament record. Their run through the tournament would come to a halt in the semi-final game against South Korea. In that game Carlos Silva would allow five runs in the first inning alone and it was all downhill from there. The 10-2 final score was not indicative of their overall tournament performance, but garnered nothing but praise from Sojo. He told the press “"I am very happy with my players' performances. They played like professionals every day we came to park. And they gave their all." In May of this year, the Venezuelan Baseball Federation named Sojo its manager of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He’s also set to manage the team this September in the World Baseball Championship and the Pan-American games in October. The question is will this be after a successful playoff run with his Tampa Yankees?
The atmosphere in the Yankees clubhouse was cool, calm, and collected on Sunday afternoon as they prepared for the middle game in their three game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. The Yankees took game one of the series as they scored three runs in the ninth to come away with a 5-2 victory. Currently sitting in fifth place in the division, the defending two time league champs are hoping to make a midseason surge to return to the playoffs as they look to defeat the Tigers for the second time in as many days. Manager Luis Sojo stressed that the current focus is to get his team back to .500 as they sit at 27-29. If the Yankees can sweep the series, it will put them at their current goal as they head into their next a series with the second place Clearwater Thrashers who are four games behind the league leading Daytona Cubs. With over two months left in the season, the Yankees are in position to bring home a third division title.
By Michael Martinez
Gary Sanchez, widely considered to be the Yankees' top hitting prospect, had been sent back to the organization's minor league facility in Tampa. Sanchez, an 18-year-old catching prospect, was demoted from Low-A affiliate in Charleston for attitude problems, the New York Daily News reported. Tampa Yankees manager Luis Sojo said he doesn’t know much about Sanchez but said his demotion will help him. “I know he has a great talent,” he said. “He’s learning how to play the game and conduct himself on and off the field.” Sanchez, ranked the Yankees' No. 2 prospect by Baseball America, was a part of numerous incidents in Charleston. He refused to enter one game as a replacement, and, in a different game, refused to catch for a pitcher in the bullpen. “This is kind of like a punishment for him,” Sojo said. “But he’s going to be O.K. and learn how to conduct himself.” The Daily News reported Sanchez has become unhappy with his slow start this season. He’s hitting .238 with four home runs and has lost playing time. Tampa second baseman Walter Ibarra, who has been with the Yankees since 2009, said the minors can be a tough place for a teenager. “It’s hard sometimes when you’re young,” he said. “You need to learn.” Ibarra said it’s important to look to teammates for instruction. As a third-year player, he said he tries to pick up teammates all the time. “I try to talk to everybody and say ‘Come on, wake up,’” he said. Sojo said at this level, he doesn’t deal with many attitude issues. “This is advanced A ball,” he said. “You’re a professional now. You need to know how to conduct yourself.”
By Liz Torres
At 21 years old, Chase Whitley can say he is chasing his dream. The Ranburne, Ala., native is in his first regular season as a relief pitcher for the Tampa Yankees. “This was ultimately my goal, to end up with New York and hopefully the big leagues somewhere,” said Whitley. The Troy University graduate’s biggest hurdle was the transition from a small town to a big city with a more a more competitive program. “I went to a small high school and a small college and my locker room knew me," Whitley said. "And now I’m here and it’s very different. I had to work harder because I was a big fish in a small pond and it’s a bigger environment and bigger pond." Regardless, the 15th round 2010 draft pick has had four saves for the T-Yankees with a 1.77 ERA. “I just try to bring the same thing every day," Whitley said. I try to get them out as quickly as possible on the mound and just play everything I got." Whitley’s biggest influence has been former Braves pitcher John Smoltz. “He also had a big Christian influence and I’ve always loved the way he’s played,” he said. Whitley was selected to a team that was named Best Class A Advanced team in 2010 with five Florida State League North Championships since 1994. “Consistency led to championships. It’s the biggest word in baseball to me,” said Whitley. The T-Yankees (27-29) have reached the halfway mark in the season and are looking to close out a tied series, 4-4, against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. The T-Yankees took the first game 5-3 behind winning pitcher Brett Marshall (4-4). “It’s about going out there and getting better so you can be ready for guys like them,” said Whitley. “We’re halfway and have another half to go. We have to be consistent. We get better everyday, but ultimately at the end, it’s a matter of whether we can get better,” he said.
